Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

10. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidelines for measuring fair value establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly such as quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which the Company makes its own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets and liabilities.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



	March 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(In thousands)
Derivative assets		$—		$1,036			$—
Derivative liabilities		$—		($21,970	)		$—



	December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	(In thousands)
Derivative assets		$—		$1,237			$—
Derivative liabilities		$—		($45,552	)		$—

The Company uses Level 2 inputs to measure the fair value of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments based on a third-party industry-standard pricing model using contract terms and prices and assumptions and inputs that are substantially observable in active markets throughout the full term of the instruments including forward oil and gas price curves, discount rates and volatility factors. The fair values are also compared to the values provided by the counterparties for reasonableness and are adjusted for the counterparties’ credit quality for derivative assets and the Company’s credit quality for derivative liabilities.

The derivative asset and liability fair values reported in the consolidated balance sheets are as of the balance sheet date and subsequently change as a result of changes in commodity prices, market conditions and other factors. The Company typically has numerous hedge positions that span several time periods and often result in both derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty, which positions are all offset to a single derivative asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheets, including the deferred premiums associated with its hedge positions. The Company nets the fair values of its derivative assets and liabilities associated with derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty, along with deferred premiums, pursuant to ISDA master agreements, which provide for net settlement over the term of the contract and in the event of default or termination of the contract. The Company had no transfers into Level 1 and no transfers into or out of Level 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured on a nonrecurring basis on the acquisition date using a discounted cash flow model based on inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent Level 3 inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation of acquired oil and gas properties include estimates of estimated volumes of oil and gas reserves, production rates, future commodity prices, timing of development, future operating and development costs and a risk adjusted discount rate.

The fair value measurements of asset retirement obligations are measured on a nonrecurring basis when a well is drilled or acquired or when production equipment and facilities are installed or acquired using a discounted cash flow model based on inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent Level 3 inputs. Significant inputs to the fair value measurement of asset retirement obligations include estimates of the costs of plugging and abandoning oil and gas wells, removing production equipment and facilities and restoring the surface of the land as well as estimates of the economic lives of the oil and gas wells and future inflation rates.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The Company’s other financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, and long-term debt, which are classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables approximate fair value due to the highly liquid or short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amount of long-term debt associated with borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility approximates fair value as borrowings bear interest at variable rates. The following table presents the carrying amounts of the Company’s senior notes and other long-term debt, net of debt premiums and debt issuance costs, with the fair values measured using Level 1 inputs based on quoted secondary market trading prices.



	March 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
7.50% Senior Notes due 2020		$593,771		$616,500		$593,447		$624,750
6.25% Senior Notes due 2023	640,850		650,000		640,546		672,750
Other long-term debt due 2028	4,425		4,425		4,425		4,419

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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